Barcelona
Released 10 October
1988, reached number 25, on chart for 4 weeks
Re-released in the UK in 1992, reached number 15, on chart for 4
weeks
Album Length 39:58
Barcelona | La Japonaise
| The
Fallen Priest | Ensueno | The Golden Boy
| Guide
Me Home | How Can I Go On | Overture Piccante
Non-Album Tracks
Exercises
In Free Love | Rachmaninov's Revenge | The Duet
| Ideas
Unreleased Demos
Africa By Night | Phantom Of
The Opera | The Music
Of The Night
All keyboards: Mike
Moran
Produced by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and David Richards
Engineered by David Richards
Songs arranged by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran
Recorded at The Townhouse Studios, London and Mountain Studios,
Montreux
All Early and Alternative Versions, from the 'Solo' boxed set,
were recorded at Townhouse
Special thanks to Jim Beach and Carlos Caballe
Design by Richard Gray
Cover photography by Peter Hince and Terry O'Neill
Later re-released as part of a 3-CD boxed set in November 2000
Singles
Reissue Singles
Barcelona
Track 1. Written by Freddie
Mercury and Mike Moran. Album version 5:37.
Recordings of Freddie and Montserrat rehearsing the song at a
very early stage were also released, called 'Ideas'
The full album version (and not the single) appear on 'The
Freddie Mercury Album' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'.
A 'live' version appears on the 'Barcelona EP'. 'The Freddie
Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs',
but this is mimed.
Additional
Assistance:
Early Version - mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith
and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern
Recording Notes:
Early Version - recorded 28 April 1987. Freddie sings his own
lyrics, and 'guide' vocals for Montserrat
Vocal Slave Version - recorded 28 April 1987. Features all
Freddie's vocal tracks overdubbed.
Later Version - recorded 3 May 1987. Has Freddie's main vocal and
instrumentation only, no 'guide' vocals
Additional
Musicians:
Homi Kanga and Laurie Lewis (Violins), Deborah Ann Johnston
(Cello), Barry Castle (Horn)
Frank Ricoffi ( Percussion)
Alternate
Versions: (The
Surround Sound Mix details can be found here and here)
1. Single Version (4:24) (available most easily on the single and
Queen Greatest Hits III; not on 'The Freddie Mercury Album' or
'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs') (as the album version, from
1:13 onwards. However, the 'bells' at the start do not feature
other music or backing vocals)
2. Extended Version (7:04) (on the 'Barcelona' CD single,
12" and in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
3. TV Edit (1:15) (available on the 'Barcelona' reissue CD only)
(contains a drum roll for 2 seconds, then 0:55 to 1:13, 4:22 to
5:09 and 5:24 to 5:32, fading out. Also features some other
changes.) (click here
for lyrics)
4. Video Version (4:25) (on 'Greatest Flix III' only) (the album
version which fades in from 1:12 to 1:13, so this is essentially
the single version but with a slightly different start)
5. Instrumental Version (4:24) (in the boxed set) (click here for lyrics)
6. Early Version (4:19)
(in the boxed set) (Freddie only, improvising Montserrat's
vocals) (click here
for lyrics)
7. Vocal Slave Version
(4:26) (in the boxed set) (Freddie only; various recordings
'multi-tracked') (click here for lyrics)
8. Later Version (4:25)
(in the boxed set) (Freddie's vocals only) (click here for lyrics)
9. DVD Menu Edit 1 (0:28) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Video
Collection' DVD only, on the main menu) (an edit of the 'live'
version, equivalent to a straight edit of the start of the album
version, fading out over 2 seconds. This includes the first two
lines of vocals)
10. DVD Menu Edit 2 (0:29) (on 'The Freddie Mercury Video
Collection' DVD only, on the first song selection screen) (an
edit of the album version, from approx 0:48 to 1:17, fading in
over a second and out over 3 seconds; this includes the 4th and
5th lines of lyrics (ahh's only))
Lyrics: (The single is the same as the
album version, but starts at 'I had this perfect dream')
Barcelona, Barcelona, oooh, ooh
Barcelona, Barcelona, oooh, ooh
Viva
Ahhhhhhhh
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh
I had this perfect dream
Un sueño me envolvió
This dream was me and you
Tal vez estás aquí
I want all the world to see
Un instinto me guiaba
A miracle sensation
My guide and inspiration
Now my dream is slowly coming true
The wind is a gentle breeze (oooh)
El me habló de ti (ah, ah, ah, ahh)
The bells are ringing out
El canto vuela
They're calling us together
Guiding us forever
Wish my dream would never go away
Barcelona
It was the first time that we met
Barcelona
How can I forget
The moment that you stepped into the room
You took my breath away
Barcelona
La música vibró
Barcelona
Y ella nos unió
And if God willing
We will meet again
Someday
Let the songs begin
Déjalo nacer
Let the music play
Ahhhhhhhh
Make the voices sing
Nace un gran amor
Start the celebration
Ven a mi
And cry
Grita
Come alive
Viva
And shake the foundations from the skies
Ah, ahh, shaking all our lives
Barcelona
Such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona
Like a jewel in the sun
Por ti seré gaviota de tu bella mar
Barcelona
Suenan las campanas
Barcelona
Abre tus puertas al mundo
If God is willing
If God is willing
If God is willing
Friends until the end
Viva
Ahhhhhhh
Barcelona
Ah, ah, ahh, ahhh
Lyrics to TV Edit:
Ahhhhhhh
Ah, ah, ahh, ahhh
Barcelona
Such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona
Like a jewel in the sun
Por ti seré gaviota de tu bella mar
Barcelona
Suenan las campanas
Barcelona
Abre tus puertas al mundo
If God is willing
If God is willing
If God is willing
Friends until the end
Viva
Ahhhhhhh
Barcelona
La
Japonaise
Track 2. Written by Freddie
Mercury and Mike Moran. Album version 4:49
Additional
Assistance:
'A-Capella' version - mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley
Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern
Recording Notes:
Early Version recorded at 1 September 1987
A-Capella version recorded 9 November 1987
Alternate Versions:
1. Instrumental Version (4:45) (in the boxed set) (a complete
instrumental, with no lyrics at all)
2. A-Capella Version
(4:15) (in the boxed set)
3. Early Version (4:39)
(in the boxed set) (has improvised lyrics, with all lyrics
undecipherable. The music is very similar to the album version)
Lyrics:
Subalashii asaga akelu
Yoakega yobikakelu
Kokorono izumiga wakidelu
Yumeno yo
I feel the power of a stranger inside me
A force of magic surrounds me
This fountain within me is overflowing
Peaceful and inviting
Beautiful and enticing
Yoake kisetsu yume kibo
Umito hikariga yondeilu
Rising sun you bless my morning with a smile
A magic pearl from the seas
Born in a willow breeze
Loyal friend my guardian angel in the sky
You've served me well all these years
Greeting with both hands
Trusting with no fears
Till the end
Toikuino anatani miselalete
Amalinimo utsukushii yumenoyo
Itsumademo ii
Aino hikali kiboto yume
When everything is golden and everything is oh
Fuji no yuki, Kyoto no ame, Tokyo no yolu
And everything is ah
Fire and beauty
My only living treasure on this earth
Kibo hikali yume (oohh yume oooh)
Asaga hohoemikakelu
Itsumo kimi dakewa kokolonotomo
Toikimino omokage shinonde
Amalinimo utsukushii yumenoyo
When everything is golden
And everything and everyone is ahh
Yoake, kisetsu, yume, kibo
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh, ahhhhh
Yoake, kisetsu, yume, kibo
Yoake, kisetsu, yume, kibo (oohhhhh)
Yoake, kisetsu, yume, kibo
The
Fallen Priest
Track 3. Written by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and Tim Rice.
Album version 5:44
Early versions of this track were released in the 'Solo' boxed
set, titled 'Rachmaninov's
Revenge'
Alternate Versions:
1. Single Version (2:54) (on 'The Golden Boy' original 7"
only) (loses the middle of the song, from 1:20 to 4:09)
2. Instrumental Version (5:48) (in the boxed set) (retains some
backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (lyrics in red are missing from
the single version)
Free me, free yourself
A life of sacrifice controlled me
But those promises I made no longer hold me
Mercurial more wayward by the hour
The shackles fall away and I'm in your power
Free me (I'm a man of God) and free yourself
Come to me (I should not be) and let me lead you
I beg you, I beseech you to let go (oooh, oh, oh, oh, oooh)
My heaven is yours and heaven is all I know (oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh)
We are mortal
In the hands of Gods who roll the dice
Searching for an earthly paradise
So hard to find
We are mortal
We are victims of our weaknesses and passion
We are reaching for the heights (I am falling, I am falling,
falling from the heights)
But I promised I would serve
I should be a rock against depravity and sin
Oooh, no sin, no sin
Free yourself, let your life begin
Oooooh
To yourself be true
I am a man of God (be true)
I should not be here with you
Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh
Free me, we are mortal, ahhhh
Come a little closer to the fire
To love and live that one desire
Denial of that love is treason
The love that we make
The force of our lives and it's reason
We are mortal
In the hands of Gods who roll the dice
Searching for an earthly paradise
So hard to find, yeah
We are mortal
Victims of our weaknesses and passion
I am falling, I am falling
We, we are mortal
Why do I believe in you
You're destroying my world, hold nothing back ((Backwards)
I am a man, I am a man, a man of God be
true)
Give me all there is
I want it all
We are (yeah) mortal (yeah)
Lost in each others love
This is where we stand
This is where we fall
Prisoners of each others love
Yes, we want it all
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ahhhhh
Ensueno
Track 4. Written by Freddie
Mercury, Montserrat Caballe and Mike Moran. Album version 4:20
Two other versions, very similar but featuring either Freddie or
Montserrat alone, were released as 'Exercises In Free Love'
This version has the same music, just different vocals and is a
duet.
The title 'Ensueno' means 'Dream' or 'Reverie'. Many thanks to
Mauricio Fernandez for translating the lyrics.
Recording Notes:
Live Takes recorded 14 March 1988
Additional
Assistance:
David Richards and Kris Fredriksson (mixing of Instrumental
version)
Alternate Versions:
1. Instrumental Version (3:59) (in the boxed set) (a complete
instrumental, with no lyrics)
2. Live Takes (5:33) (in the boxed set) (Montserrat in the
studio, recording her vocals) (click here for lyrics)
Lyrics: (the
lyrics in brackets are a translation)
En mi sueño te ví (in my dream I
saw you)
Tu luz llegaba de tan lejos (your light was coming of so far
away)
Tu voz penetra en mí (your voice penetrates in me)
Vibra en ti (it vibrates in you)
Vibra en mí (it vibrates in me)
Suavemente me llevaba a ti (softly it was taking me to you)
Oí el sonido (I heard the sound)
De tu voz dulcemente me decía (of your voice that she sweetly
was saying to me)
Ven (come)
Ven junto a mí (come close to me)
Volver a vivir (to live again)
Saber que mi sueño no está solo (to know that mi dream is not
alone)
Alienta en ti (it breathes in you)
Tú y yo cantando los dos (you and I singing the two)
Yo soñaba en ser tu mismo mar (I was dreaming in being your same
sea)
Tu mar es puente de unión (your sea is a bridge of union)
De nuestras almas (of our souls)
Vuelan, nos llaman (they fly, they call us)
Al son de la eternidad (to the sound of the eternity)
Ahhhh
Volar (to fly)
The
Golden Boy
Track 5. Written by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and Tim Rice.
Album version 6:04.
A 'live' version appears on the 'Barcelona EP'. 'The Freddie
Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs',
but this is mimed.
Backing Vocalists:
Madeline Bell, Debbie Bishop, Lance Ellington, Miriam Stockley,
Peter Straker, Mark Williamson
and Carol Woods
Recording
Notes:
Early Version 1 - recorded 2 May 1987
Early Version 2 - recorded 9 November 1987
'A-Capella' version - recorded 1 December 1987
Additional
Assistance:
'A-Capella' version and 2nd Early Version - mixed by Joshua J
Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean
Crathern
Alternate Versions: (The Surround Sound Mix details can be found here)
1. Single Version (5:14) (on 'The Golden Boy' 7" only)
(edits out the section from 0:44 to 1:34)
2. Radio Edit (3:31) (on a promo 7" only) (a straight edit,
this is the middle part of the song, from approx 1:34 to 5:05)
3. Instrumental Version (6:04) (on 'The Golden Boy' 12" and
CD, and in the boxed set) (retains some backing vocals) (click here for lyrics)
4. Early Version 1 (3:52) (in the boxed set) (Freddie's vocals
only) (click here
for lyrics)
5. Early Version 2 (2:54) (in the boxed set) (Freddie's vocals
only) (click here
for lyrics)
6. A-Capella Version (5:10) (in the boxed set) (has same lyrics
as album version, but a few vocals are sung by different singers;
this is shorter as it omits the first 45 seconds which is
instrumental)
Lyrics: (the Single Version begins at
'And then he sang to her' and continues as the Album Version. The
Radio Edit loses the vocals in Red)
The boy had a way with words, he sang
He moved with grace, he entertained
So naturally, no gesture out of place
His road in life was clearly drawn, he didn't hesitate
He played, they saw, he conquered as the master of
As the master of his fate
The girl had an iron soul, no-one could recognise
Material ambition that her gentleness disguised
She gave herself to him certain of his fame
Wanted him for luxury, for limelight and his name
And then he sang to her
I love you for your silence
I love you for your peace
The still and calm releases
That sweep into my soul
That slowly take control
I love you for your passion
I love you for your fire
The violent desire
That burns me in its flame
A love I dare not name
His rise was irresistible, yeah, he grew into the part
His explanation (oooh, oooh) simply that he suffered for his art
No base considerations (oooh, oooh) of some glittering reward
The prize was knowing that (oooh, oooh) his work was noticed and
adored
Hey, I love you (yes, I love you) for your silence (for your
silence)
I love you for your peace
The still and calm releases (oooooh)
That sweep into my soul
That slowly (oooh, ooh) slowly takes control
Yes, he told the truth, oh lord
Yes, he told the truth (and he told the truth)
Accepting every honour with a masterly display
Of well rehearsed reluctance to be singled out this way
He started to believe that he was all they said and more (oooh,
ooh, ooh, ooooh, and more)
While she forgot, she forgot the reasons (reasons) she had wanted
him before
Yeah
(I love you) I love you for your passion (for your passion)
I love you for your fire (ahhhhh)
The violent desire (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)
That burns me in its flame
(Ooooh) A love I dare, I dare not name
The still and calm releases (releases)
That sweep into my soul (sweep into my soul)
That slowly (slowly), slowly (slowly)
Slowly (slowly), slowly (slowly), slowly (slowly)
Slowly (slowly), slowly
Take control
And when at last they fell apart
She wished that she could be the hardened heart
Of yesterday, as cynical as he
By changing for the better
She had changed things for the worse
The words that made them happy once now echoed
Echoed as a curse
Guide
Me Home
Track 6. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran. Album version
2:40
This track segues into 'How Can I Go On'; the full segue is
included on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'.
Recording Notes:
Alternative Version - recorded 2 March 1988
Alternative Version - mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley
Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern
Alternate Versions:
1. Instrumental Version (2:38) (in the boxed set) (retains a few
backing vocals only) (click here for lyrics)
2. Alternative Version
(2:40) (in the boxed set, or the Holland/Italy CD Single)
(Freddie only) (click here
for lyrics)
Lyrics:
Now the wind has lost my
sail
Now the scent has left my trail
Who will find me
Take care and side with me
Guide me back
Safely to my home
Where I belong
Once more
Where is my star in heaven's bough
Where is my strength, I need it now
Who can save me
Lead me to my destiny (ooooh)
Guide me back
Safely to my home
Where I belong
Once more
Who will find me
Take care and side with me
Guide me back
Safely to my home
Where I belong
Once more
How
Can I Go On
Track 7. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran. Album version
4:00
This track features John Deacon on bass. It segues from 'Guide Me
Home', the full segue is included on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of
Songs'
A 'live' version appears on the 'Barcelona EP'. 'The Freddie
Mercury Video Collection' and 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs',
but this is mimed.
Additional
Assistance:
David Richards and Kris Fredriksson (mixing of Instrumental
version)
Alternative Version - mixed by
Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor, assisted by
Dean Crathern
Recording
Notes:
Alternative Version - recorded 2 March 1988.
Out-Take Extract - recorded 24 June 1987
Alternative Piano Version - recorded 9 April 1987
The Out-Take extract cuts in part way through because Freddie
started singing before David Richards was recording.
Alternate
Versions: (The Surround Sound Mix details
can be found here)
1. Single Version (3:59) (on some singles (not all) and in the
boxed set) (begins with the piano at the end of 'Guide Me Home',
but the very first vocals are lost)
2. Instrumental Version (3:58) (in the boxed set)
(a complete instrumental version, with no lyrics at all)
3. Alternative Version (4:12) (in
the boxed set, or the Holland/Italy 'Guide Me Home' CD Single)
(Freddie only) (click here for lyrics)
4. Out-Take (1:32) (in the 'Solo' boxed set) (features Freddie
only) (click here
for lyrics)
5. Alternative Piano Version (3:44) (in the boxed set) (an
alternative 'instrumental' version; this is quite different to
the album version, featuring a slow piano intro/outro, and a much
'heavier' middle section)
Lyrics: (lyrics in red are missing from
the single version)
How can I go on
How can I go on this way
When all the salt is taken from the sea
I stand dethroned, I'm naked and I bleed
But when your finger points so savagely
Is anybody there to believe in me
To hear my plea and take care of me
How can I go on
From day to day
Who can make me strong in every way
Where can I be safe
Where can I belong
In this great big world of sadness
How can I forget
Those beautiful dreams that we shared
They're lost and they're nowhere to be found
How can I go on
Sometimes I start to tremble in the dark
I cannot see when people frighten me
I try to hide myself so far from the crowd
Is anybody there to comfort me (on and on and on and on precious
Lord we might be, yeah)
Lord take care of me
How can I go on (how can I go on)
From day to day (from day to day)
Who can make me strong (who can make me strong)
In every way (in every way)
Where can I be safe (where can I be safe)
Where can I belong (where can I belong)
In this great big world of sadness (in this great big world of
sadness)
How can I forget (how can I forget)
Those beautiful dreams that we shared (those beautiful dreams
that we shared)
They're lost and they're no where to be found
How can I go on
Dee, dee, dee, dee, de, de, dee
Ooh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh, oooh, oooh
Dee, dee, dee, dee, de, de, dee
Ooh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh, oooh, oooh (how can I go on)
Dee, dee, dee, dee, de, de, dee
Ooh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh, oooh, oooh (how can I go on)
Dee, dee, dee, dee, de, de, dee (go on, go on, go on, yeah, yeah)
Ooh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh, oooh, oooh (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah)
Overture
Piccante
Track 8. Written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran. Album version
6:40
This track contains short excerpts from many of the album tracks.
It features, in order, 'Barcelona', 'Guide Me Home', 'The Fallen
Priest', 'La Japonaise', 'The Golden Boy', 'When This Tired Old
Body Wants To Sing' and 'The Fallen
Priest' again. It features some material from the instrumental
versions, some from the album versions, and also the extended
version of 'Barcelona'. Note, the track does not feature
'Ensueno' or 'How Can I Go On', whilst 'When This Tired Old
Body Wants To Sing' left many fans
wondering where the excerpts came from; it was not released
properly until the 2000 'Solo' boxed set, 12 years later.
Alternate Versions:
1. DVD Menu Edit 3 (0:29) (on 'Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs'
(on both DVD discs); on the main menu) (the first 29 seconds of
the track (which is instrumental), fading out over about 7
seconds)
Lyrics:
Ah, ahh, ah, ahh, shaking all our lives
Ooooh
Ooooh
Guide me back
Once more
To yourself be true
(Backwards) I am a man, I am a man, a man
of God be true
Yoake kisetsu yume kibo
Umito hikariga yondeilu
Yes, he told the truth (and he told the truth)
I love you for your silence
I love you for your peace
Oooooh
That sweep into my soul
Oooh, ooh, slowly, slowly take control
Oh, ha, ha
Sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it, sing it,
sing it
Yeah
We are mortal
In the hands of Gods who roll the dice
We are mortal
Victims of our weaknesses
Yes we want it all
Exercises
In Free Love
Non-Album Track. Written by
Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran
This track features piano and vocals only, the lyrics are
improvised.
This version later became 'Ensueno', with the same music but joint vocals.
Versions Available:
1. Freddie Mercury Vocal (3:56) (available on 'The Freddie
Mercury Album', 'The Great Pretender' singles and in the boxed
set)
2. Montserrat Caballe Vocal (4:02) (available on all 'Barcelona'
singles)
Rachmaninov's
Revenge
Written by Freddie Mercury, Mike Moran and Tim Rice.
This was the working title of The Fallen Priest. Early
versions available in the 'Solo' boxed set only.
Additional
Assistance:
Early Version - mixed by Joshua J Macrae, Justin-Shirley Smith
and Neil Amor, assisted by Dean Crathern
Recording Notes:
Early Version recorded 26 January 1987
Later Version recorded 19 February 1987
Alternate
Versions:
1. Early Version (4:44) (in the boxed set) (Freddie's vocals
only) (click here
for lyrics)
2. Later Version (5:48)
(in the boxed set) (Freddie's vocals only) (click here for lyrics)
The
Duet (The Fallen
Priest)
This track is an excerpt from a tape recording, made by Peter
Freestone. It was recorded at Garden Lodge, London on 29 March
1987, and features Freddie, Montserrat and Mike Moran,
improvising a very early version of 'The Fallen Priest' or 'Rachmaninov's Revenge'. The lyrics are mostly ad-libbed and undecipherable.
Time 3:04
Only available in the 'Solo' boxed set.
Dialogue:
Freddie: Simple songs are
the ones
Mike: It's good fun ey, making songs up
Montserrat: Something incredible (I think I'm going totally
nuts???). I'm going crazy. (unknown dialogue)
Freddie: Are you sure you're not too tired, you're not tired.
You're not tired now, you must rest a little
Montserrat: You want me to, oh, I'm going?
Freddie: No, no, I don't want you to go. I just, I think
Montserrat: I sound so terrible
Freddie: I can sing to six o'clock in the morning. OK, try, try
the erm, the Duet
Freddie: Play chords after - play chords when it comes here
Freddie: Gosh, it goes on forever
Mike: Yeah, it's a nightmare, it's not a song
Montserrat: What do you mean?
Freddie: It's so complicated
Freddie (singing): And when you talk about love
Ideas (Barcelona)
These tracks are excerpts from the same recording as 'The Duet'.
In these tracks, they are improvising with a very early version
of 'Barcelona', and again the lyrics are undecipherable.
Excerpt 1: Time 1:13
Excerpt 2: Time 1:04.
Only available in the 'Solo' boxed set.
Dialogue (Excerpt 1):
Montserrat: Are we beginning again?
Freddie: Yeah, we, start, start from the top, OK
Dialogue (Excerpt 2):
Freddie: OK, I know it
Montserrat: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Freddie: She's an exhausted woman
Montserrat: Ha, ha, I'm
sorry